It is estimated that up to sixty percent of the world's money may be located offshore, where half of all financial transactions are said to take place; however, there is a perception that secrecy about offshore is encouraged to obfuscate tax evasion and money laundering. McCann provides a detailed analysis of the global offshore environment, outlining the extent of the information available and how that information might be used in assessing the quality of individual jurisdictions, as well as examining whether some of the perceptions about 'offshore' are valid.

He analyses the ongoing work of the Financial Stability Forum, the Financial Action Task Force, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. The book also offers some suggestions as to what the future might hold for offshore finance.

Unique in its presentation of information about offshore finance in a cohesive, logical and sequential manner, giving the reader access to information from a wide range of sources

Describes offshore's history, development and future potential and includes a comprehensive history of the work of the supra-national authorities and other organisations that have an interest in or an involvement with offshore finance, offering readers a detailed understanding of the offshore arena

Includes a detailed check-list which will help practitioners to assess the acceptability or otherwise of a particular jurisdiction